rivington feb 2013.pdf · hospice also appreciated joan’s handiwork and have written to us in...
TRANSCRIPT
Rivington Unitarian and Free Christian
Chapel
February - April 2013
Founded 1662 Built 1703
“Here let no man a stranger be”
www.ukunitarians.org.uk/rivington
www.rivingtonchapel.org.uk
Chairman's Letter
Happy New Year everyone. 2013 has certainly got off to an
auspicious start. Work on the Chapel approach road was completed
on Tuesday 8th January. We couldn’t quite afford to have the road
completely remade, but the resurfacing work, done at a cost of
£1896.00 inc. VAT, by K. Darlington & Sons Ltd. of Adlington, looks
superb. If it lasts as well as it looks like it should, then it will certainly
be money well spent. Thanks to Elsie and David from The Tea Rooms
and Mark and Helen from the Old Post Office who kindly also made
contributions towards the cost. You never know, we may even get to
re-do the little parking area at the front of the Chapel at this rate.
The One Accord concert on December 13th was really great fun, what
with a new instrument on show and Peter’s athleticism, it was not be
missed. Some of the audience who had been to a concert by The
York Waits, well-known performers of early music, in Huddersfield,
thought that our event was easily a match for it, if not better; I don’t
think it was just the mulled wine talking. Altogether a most enjoyable
evening, it also brought the bonus of raising £104 towards Chapel
funds. Thank you Linda, Alison, Peter and John, thank you One
Accord.
Hooray! No snow meant a full house for the Carol Service. What a
day it was. The carol singing was lovely, as was the scene created by
the (many) children’s faces when Santa Claus joined us and added to
the merriment (thanks Dean). As if that wasn’t enough, the
“Shepherds’ Play”, directed by Dennis Crompton and acted-out by
Dennis, Chris, Geoff, Muriel, Frank and Linda, was an absolute
triumph. The atmosphere this created was wonderful, no doubt
augmented by the splendid Elizabethan-themed decoration which
had taken place in the Chapel. This ‘decking-out the halls with
boughs of holly’ had happened thanks to the efforts of the
congregation but mainly to those of Joan Thursby. Everywhere was
festooned with fir, holly and ivy and we even had mistletoe in an
Elizabethan “kissing-ring”, built by Jo Clarke, which was suspended
from the ceiling in the middle of the Chapel. All this was topped off
by authentic pomanders Joan had spent hours making and a fantastic
Christmas tree expertly decorated by Jimmy. Derian House Children’s
Hospice also appreciated Joan’s handiwork and have written to us in
thanks for the chocolates in boxes she had made for them and for the
children at the service. All in all, a huge THANK-YOU to all who helped
to make the day so special and so memorable.
In the pipeline; there is a possibility of some filming for a Channel 4
production at the Chapel some time in the New Year. Just before
Christmas, Rev. Jane Barraclough, of Cross Street Chapel, was
contacted by a locations manager; on hearing what he had to say she
immediately thought of us. I rang him and, on the same day, I was
able to show him around. The up-shot is that he liked what he saw
and thought our Chapel ideal for their purposes. So, fingers crossed
then.
Unfortunately two more Chapel members have passed away recently.
Norman Hough, for many, many years a key figure in chapel life, not
least as Chairman and Treasurer of the Trustees, and Mrs Ellis who
always had the interests of the Chapel at heart. Both are sadly missed
and our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.
Lastly I would just like to once again wish everyone a Happy and
Prosperous 2013.
God Bless Vince
The Shepherds’ Play as part of the Carol Service, 2012
“Yan, tan, tethera, methera, pip; taytera, laytera, onera, covera, dix.”
Those who filled the chapel for the wonderful Carol service may have
been surprised at being counted as sheep. This is exactly what was
happening at the start of the Shepherds’ Play when the first shepherd
cast a weary eye over the congregation. This method of counting
sheep has been traditional since the time that the Celts occupied
most of Britain and curiously it pre-dates our present decimal system
by almost a thousand years. The play itself used my script based on an
episode from one of the mystery or craft plays shown in the streets of
Chester from the 14th century until about 1575. These simple plays
covered Bible stories from the Creation to the Crucifixion. Each craft
guild would put on an episode that suited its trade. Thus the
carpenters would present Noah’s Flood, while it would have fallen to
the weavers to perform the Shepherds’ plays. The actors saw their
characters and clothes as belonging to rural England rather than to
the Holy Land. So this play moves from rough comedy to wonder and
A Note from the Editor
Don’t forget that if you would like to help us reduce the cost of
printing and posting the newsletter, you can opt to have an e-mail
version rather than a paper copy. You can, of course, read this and
past issues online at www.rivingtonchapel.org.uk. If you are happy to
do so, please contact me on [email protected] , so
that the mailing list can be amended.
Please also use this e-mail address to send me your contributions for
the newsletter.
Alison
to religious conviction, showing ordinary English folk in
extraordinary circumstances.
I cannot remember much drama being performed here: the chapel’s
box pews present challenges for both the audience and for any
director or actors and rehearsal time is short. Amongst the pleasant
surprises was the song of the angel Gabriel drifting of course from
the pulpit. Linda tells me that she used a tune discovered by Peter
Bearon in an old manuscript book he found in the chapel’s upper
vestry. It was therefore the first time it had been heard in chapel for
many years.
The medieval alliterative style of verse would also be strange to a
modern audience for it rhymes not only vowels but also consonants
and would, of course, be difficult for the elderly to learn. However it
all followed in the spirit of the year.
The readings were all from the Elizabethan period, the carols mainly
so. The only anachronism (and a happy one) was the arrival of
Dean’s superb Father Christmas with our regular accordionist
playing ‘Jingle Bells’, but as in previous years, the host of children
didn’t worry at all about that.
The Rivington congregation had indeed entered into the spirit of
Christmas, Peace and Goodwill and, as one of the Shepherds said,
“To that bliss bring us, if it be thy will; Amend all things that be
amiss, Good folk now fare thee weal.”
[Cast: Hankin - Chris Oldham; Sim - Geoff Newey; Tod - Dennis Crompton; Angel - Linda Green ; Mary - Muriel Jones; Joseph - Frank Ascroft. Properties - Leighton Jones; Script and Direction - Dennis Crompton ]
Dennis Crompton
Dates for Your Diary in 2013
It’s that time of year again so here are our key dates for the year
ahead for your diaries.
Sun 3rd March Congregational AGM
Sat 4th May Rivington Spring Festival and Chapel Open Day
Sun 19th May Anniversary Sermons
Service led by Rev Bill Darlison - Wakefield
Sun 2nd June Strawberry Tea
Sat 14th Sept Late Summer Fair and Heritage Open Day
Sat 5th Oct Rivington Pilgrimage
Service led by Marion Baker - Sheffield
Toast to Civil & Religious Liberties by Neville
Kenyon - Bury
Sun 15th Dec Carol Service
Chapel Flowers
You may have noticed that there is an empty space in the flower
donor rota this issue. If you would like to join the list of flower
donors and can provide the flowers for Sunday 3rd March, please
contact the secretary, Joan Thursby (see contact details on page 11).
Joan would also be happy to hear from anyone who would be
willing to donate the flowers for the service on Sunday 20th
October.
Snippets from the Past
Extract from The Bolton Chronicle, 1844
Rural Rejoicings at Rivington
The pleasant and picturesque village of Rivington was, on Monday
last, the scene of a charming series of rustic, social enjoyments. In the
forenoon the members of the Rivington Male and Female Friendly
Benefit Societies assembled to celebrate the anniversary of their
establishment. A procession was formed, which proceeded through
the village, and on arriving at the village green, a country dance was
proposed, acceded to by a joyous response, and the parties
immediately began to pair. R. Andrews, Esq., ---- with one of the
Lancashire witches, "opened the ball," and featly led the way ----
readily and nimbly followed by a varied group of men and matrons,
swains and sweethearts. The man of fourscore and the youth of
fifteen were participators in this innocent, heartfelt, social
enjoyment. Among them was one old man, more than eighty years of
age, who has been a member of the male members' club from its
commencement. Having passed through the village, the members
returned to the house of Mr. Bennett Lowe, the sign of the Black Boy,
where the societies hold their meetings, and where they sat down
together to an abundant and excellent dinner, prepared under the
superintendence of the worthy host and hostess, and which obtained
for them the praise of those who partook of it. A report of the
condition of the clubs was read, which showed them to be in a
flourishing state. Several new members were enrolled, both males
and females. The Horwich band led the procession, playing popular
airs; at the meeting room they also executed a number of musical
pieces with considerable ability. The evening was spent in recreations
of a social but not demanding character. ---- Our correspondent in
favouring us with the above, omitted to state that the members of
the societies attended divine service at the Presbyterian Chapel,
when the Rev. C. B. Hubbard delivered an excellent discourse from
the words "Love one another." He forcibly described the advantages
arriving from mutual assistance in times of sickness and death. These
societies are composed of members of the Church of England and
Dissenters, yet, they agree in the greatest harmony, and attend
service at church one year and the chapel the other.
Further Enlightenment
How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb? One, since his/her hands are in the air anyway. How many TV evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
One. But for the message of hope to continue to go forth, send in your donation today. How many conservative Anglicans does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to change it and two to storm out in protest if the person changing it is a woman! How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
None. If God wants the light bulb changed He will do it Himself!
This poem was published in the December 2012 issue of Lancashire
Life magazine. It is reproduced here with the kind permission of the
author.
Rivington Unitarian Chapel by Peter Street
Shrubs on the outside wall are clambering up on fingertips to the leaded windows.
The Yew tree at the front gate has been asking them for a favour
to take one peep to see if the same tall pulpit is still there are against the wall relaxed, welcoming everyone with bible stories, poetry, the odd joke or two.
To look whether the same box pews sitting there from three hundred years before, had moved, stretched, gone walkabout or modern.
Whispers start to leapfrog over the front few gravestones back to yew tree saying: “Everything is as always."
Dates for your Diary
Sunday Services at 2:15 PM
3 February Rev Bob Pounder - Oldham Chapel
17 February Rev Tony McNeile - Turton
3 March Vince Mc Cully - Rivington Chapel
17 March Peter Sampson - Lancaster
7 April Veronica & Gordon Walker - Bank Street Chapel
21 April Dr Irvine Delamore
5 May Dr Maria Curtis - student at Bank Street Chapel
Flower Donors
3 February Alison Whitaker and Peter Bearon
17 February Iris Wharton
3 March
17 March Joan Thursby
7 April Olive Mayor
21 April Olive Fisher
5 May Jacqueline Dagnall
Other Dates and Ceremonies
Sun 3 March
After Service
Congregational AGM
Wed 13 March
7:30 pm
Chapel Trustees AGM
Copy date for next issue: 1 April 2013 Issue date: 21 April 2013
send to: Alison Whitaker, 14 Church Street, Westhoughton, Bolton,
BL5 3RS
telephone: (01942) 816569
email: [email protected]
Please send your contributions electronically if possible to the email
address above. For those without access to the internet I am still
happy to receive handwritten copy,
If you would like to arrange a ceremony at Rivington
Chapel, please contact the Chapel Secretary.
Joan Thursby tel: (01204) 520264
Your Committee
Chairman &
Pulpit Supply
Secretary
Vince Mc Cully
20 Thirlmere Close, Anderton Lancashire, PR6 9QD
01257 483733 email: [email protected]
Secretary &
Flower Rota
Joan Thursby
5 Lovat Road, Bolton, BL2 6LP
01204 520264
Treasurer &
Chapel Keeper
Frank Ascroft
13a Highfield Road North, Adlington, Lancashire, PR6 9RN
01257 483635
Organist Roy Shepherd MGI; MNMSCM
20 Shillingston Close, Harwood, BL2 3PD
01204 394061 email: [email protected]
Publicity Officer
Dennis Crompton
Rossett Gill, 48 Redcar Road, Smithills, Bolton, BL1 6LL
01204 841685 email: [email protected]
Other Committee Members
Jacqueline Dagnall 01204 691833
Leighton & Muriel Jones 01257 232564
Geoff Newey 07570 876710
Other Contact Details
Newsletter Editor
Alison Whitaker
14 Church Street, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3RS
01942 816569 email: [email protected]
Newsletter Distribution
Lynne & Chris Haighton
105 Albert Road West, Heaton, Bolton, BL1 5ED
01204 841678 email: [email protected]